Swimming doll

ABSTRACT

A mechanical doll is disclosed, whose arms and legs simulate the crawl stroke and flutter kick used by a person swimming in the water. Each arm of the doll has relatively articulated upper and lower portions, and while the legs kick in opposite phase to the arms on alternate sides of the doll, reciprocable operating means not only rotate the arms in opposite alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto; but also, during such periods, rotate the lower arm portions in opposite alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portions. In addition, means interconnect the upper and lower arm portions of each arm for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.

United States Patent [72] inventor James W. Shaffer Seattle, Wash. [211 App]. No. 53,483 [22] Filed July 9, 1970 [45) Patented Aug;3l,1971 I 73] Assignee Essie May Schafier Seattle. Wash.

[54] SWIMMING DOLL 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

52 us. or 46/92, 46/120 [51] Int.C| .Q A63h 23/10 [50] FieldofSearch 46/91,92, v 119, 120

[5 6] References Cited UNiT ED STATES PATENTS 2,616,216 11/1952 Fraysur 46/120 2,641,864 6/1953 Villemejane 46/120X 3,229,421 1/1966 Ostrander 46/119 X Primary Examiner- Louis G1 Mancene Assistant l-.'.raminer- Robert F. Cutting Auumey---Lhrislcnscn & Sunburn ABSTRACT: A mechanical doll is disclosed, whose arms and legs simulate the crawl stroke and flutter kick used by a person swimming in the water. Each arm of the doll has relatively articulated upper and lower portions, and while the legs kick in opposite phase to the arms on alternate sides of the doll, reciprocable operating means not only rotate the arms in opposite alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto; but also, during such periods, rotate the lower arm portions in opposite alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portions. In addition, means interconnect the upper and lower arm portions of each arm for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.

PATENTEUAUEB] 197: 3,601,922

sum 1 BF 2 ATTORNEYS SWIMMING DOLL FIELD OF THE INVENTION to a mechanical doll which is capable of swimming in the water.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the invention is to provide a mechanical doll which is so capable. Another object is to provide a doll the trunk 4 of the doll by means of a pair of L-shaped pins Ml which are encased at one end in the legs, passed through apertures 116 in the trunk, andthen rotatably joumaled at the other end in pillow blocks 18 on a. common transverse axis of the hips. The arms 12, to the contrary are part hollow, are

- rotatably joumaled on fixed shafts 20 which project through of this nature which can swim while maintaining a torque sta- 1 ble condition on the surface of the water. A further object is to provide a doll of this nature whose arms and legs offer minimal resistance to the forward motion of the doll in the water. Other objects include the provision of a doll of this nature which is simply constructed from a minimal number of parts and drive components, and likewise, inexpensive to manufacture; and which moreover, is adapted to remain effective and reliable in its operation under normal use and abuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION of the arm for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the operating. means include a crank member which is rotatably mounted om the body defining the trunk of the doll, about an axis coins, cident with the rotational axis of the arm; and equipped with a: crankpin which is slidably engaged in an arcuate slot in the, upper portion of the arm. The operating means also include a, connecting rod which is pivotally interconnected with the: lower portion of the arm, and the crank member, at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to interconnect the, upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the, arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll, and: to rotate the lower arm portion in relation to the upper arm; portion during the periods of lost motion on the part of the crank member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These features will be better understood by reference to then accompanying drawings which illustrate one of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a part longitudinal crosssectional i view of the doll;

FIG. 2 is a part perspective view of one arm of the doll, and the mechanism by which it is driven through the necessary motion during the swimming process;

FIG. 3 is a part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the doll at right angles to that of FIG. 1, illustrating one stage in the motion ofthe arm;

FIG. 4 is a similar view illustrating a later stage in the motion of the arm; and

FIG. 5 is another such view illustrating two still later stages in the motion ofthearrn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the doll-2 has a hollow trunk 4 which is deeply indented at the shoulders 6 and hips 8 to provide a recessed bearing surface for each of the legs 10 and arms 12 of the doll within the general outline of the body of the same. The legs 10 are solid and are hinged to 1 there are means interconnecting the upper and lower portions other apertures 22 in the trunk, from pintle blocks-M disposed therein, on a common transverseaxis through the shoulders. Each arm l2 has three relatively articulatedportions: a hand portion 12', a forearmor lower portion fz and a hollow upper portion 12". The hand and lower arm portions 12' and 12" are rotatably interconnected by clevis connections c as are the lower and upper arm portions 112" and 12. The upper arm portions 12" are rotatably interconnected to the trunk 4 of the doll, as indicated. The adjacent elbow ends of the upper and lower arm-portions have corresponding half-rounded configurations; and the clevistherebetween is formed by interdigitating a tonguelike projection 26 on the end of the lower portion, within a slotted opening 28 in the en d of the upper portion, and pinning one end to the other by means of a wrist pin 30. The clevis between the hand and the lower arm portion is formed in similar fashion by interdigitating and pinning a rabbetted projection 32 on the wrist end of the lower portion within a slot 34 in the wrist end of the hand.

The arms and legs are reciprocatedl by an inboard electric motor 36 through a system 38 of cranks interconnected by belt and sprocket drive mechanisms. On each side of the motor 36 is a spindle 40 which is rotatably journaled in a pair of spaced pillow blocks 42 that are mounted between the motor and the shoulders of the doll. Each spindle 40 is interconnected with the arbor on its side of the motor by a four-bar crank linkage 44, and the two crank linkages 44 are oppositely arranged so as to turn the spindles 40 in opposite directions during the operation of the doll. Each spindle 40 in turn drives a pair of belt and sprocket drive mechanisms 46, the drive sprockets 46 of which are carried on the spindles 40, and the driven sprockets 46" and 46" on the shafts 2i) and pins M at the shoulders and hips of the doll. In addition, the drive sprockets 46' and the driven sprockets 46"at the hips, are fixed to the spindles 40 and pins 14, respectively, whereas the driven sprockets 46" at the shoulders .are rotatably journaled on the shafts 20.

Each of the latter sprockets 46" has a bushing or sleeve 48 secured on the outside face thereof which is rotatably engaged on the adjacent shaft 20 and projected through the trunk and then and aperture 50 in the inside wall of the upper portion 12" of the adjacent arm. Secured at the end of the sleeve d8 within the hollow of the upper arm portion is a disc 52 having an axially projecting but eccentrically' located crank pin 5 .1.

thereon. The pin 54 is slidably engaged in a correspondingly radially disposed arcuate slot 56 in the outside wall of the upper arm portion; so that as the sprockets 46" and discs 52 reciprocate, the pin 54 operates to rotate the arm in alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion-with respect thereto.

During such periods of lost motion, moreover, the lower portion 12" of the arm is caused to undergo rotation in alternate directions in relation to the upper portion 12". A connecting rod 58 is pivotally interconnected with the torn gued extension 26 of the lower portion .12" and the disc 52, at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to form a fourbar crank linkage therebetween. The linkage operates to interconnect the upper and lower portions 12" and 12" of the arm for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk 4 of the doll; and in addition, operates to rotate the lower'arm portion 12 in relation to the upper portion 12 during the periods of lost motion on the part of the crank pin 54 in the slot 56.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the manner in which the doll simulates the motion of a swimmer in the water. In FIG. 3, the upper and lower arm portions of the nearby arm have just completed a period of conjoint rotation in the counterclockwise direction; whereas the arm (not shown) on the opposite side of the doll has assumed the bent, fully retracted position of FIG. 5. In FIG. 4, the lower arm portion of the nearby arm has undergone rotation in relation to the upper arm portion during the lost motion of the pin 54 in the slot 56; and in the meantime, the arm on the other side of the doll has straightened out to the dotted line position of FIG. 5. Finally, the upper and lower portions of the nearby arm will undergo conjoint rotation in the bent position from the condition of FIG. 4 to the condition of FIG. 5; while the arm portions on the other side will undergo conjoint rotation in the straightened position from FIG. 5 to FIG. 3.

Meanwhile, in order to offset the torque generated by the movement of the arms, the legs undergo a contrary kicking motion through the counterrotational arrangement of the drive arrangement 38.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanical doll, a body defining the trunk of the doll, an arm which is rotatably mounted 05 the body and comprised of upper and lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation of the drive means to rotate the arm in alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower arm portion in alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portion and means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.

2. The mechanical doll according to claim 1 wherein the operating means include a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the body about an axis coincident with the rotational axis of the arm, and equipped with a crank pin which is slidably engaged in an arcuate slot in the upper portion of the arm.

3. The mechanical doll according to claim 2 wherein the operating means also include a connecting rod which is pivotally interconnected with the lower portion of the arm and the crank member, at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to interconnect the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation i5 relation to the trunk of the doll, and to rotate the lower arm portion in relation to the upper arm portion during the periods of lost motion 05 the part of the crank pin in the slot.

4. The mechanical doll according to claim 3 wherein the crank member takes the form of a disc having the rod pivotally interconnected therewith at a point angularly spaced from the pin.

5. A mechanical doll comprising a body defining the trunk of the doll, relatively articulated limb members rotatably mounted on the body constituting the legs and arms of the doll, each of which arms has upperand lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation.

of the drive means to rotate the arms in opposite alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower ann portions in opposite alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portions, and means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions of each arm for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.

6. The mechanical doll according to claim 5 further comprising means interconnecting the legs and arms of the doll whereby the legs rotate i5 opposite phase to the arms on alternate sides of the doll.

7. In combination, an body, an ann which is rotatably mounted on-the body and comprised of upper and lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation of the drive means to rotate the arm in alternate directions in relation to the body, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower arm portions in alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portion, and

' part of the crank pin inthe slot.

means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the body.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the operating means include a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the body about an axis coincident with the rotational axis of the arm, and equipped with a crank pin which is slidably engaged in an arcuate slot in the upper portion of the arm. 9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the operating means also include a connecting rod which is pivotally interconnected with the lower portion of the arm and f the crank member,'at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to interconnect the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the body, and to rotate the lower arm portion in relation to the upper arm portion during the periods of lost motion on the 10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the crank member takes the form of a disc having the rod pivotally interconnected therewith at a point angularly spaced from the pin. 

1. In a mechanical doll, a body defining the trunk of the doll, an arm which is rotatably mounted o5 the body and comprised of upper and lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation of the drive means to rotate the arm in alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower arm portion in alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portion and means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.
 2. The mechanical doll according to claim 1 wherein the operating means include a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the body about an axis coincident with the rotational axis of the arm, and equipped with a crank pin which is slidably engaged in an arcuate slot in the upper portion of the arm.
 3. The mechanical doll according to claim 2 wherein the operating means also include a connecting rod which is pivotally interconnected with the lower portion of the arm and the crank member, at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to interconnect the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation i5 relation to the trunk of the doll, and to rotate the lower arm portion in relation to the upper arm portion during the periods of lost motion o5 the part of the crank pin in the slot.
 4. The mechanical doll according to claim 3 wherein the crank member takes the form of a disc having the rod pivotally interconnected therewith at a point angularly spaced from the pin.
 5. A mechanical doll comprising a body defining the trunk of the doll, relatively articulated limb members rotatably mounted on the body constituting the legs and arms of the doll, each of which arms has upper and lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation of the drive means to rotate the arms in opposite alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower arm portions in opposite alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portions, and means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions of each arm for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.
 6. The mechanical doll according to claim 5 further comprising means interconnecting the legs and arms of the doll whereby the legs rotate i5 opposite phase to the arms on alternate sides of the doll.
 7. In combination, an body, an arm which is rotatably mounted on the body and comprised of upper and lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation of the drive means to rotate the arm in alternate directions in relation to the body, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower arm portions in alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portion, and means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the body.
 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the operating means include a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the body about an axis coincident with the rotational axis of the arm, and equipped with a crank pin which is slidably engaged in an arcuate slot in the upper portion of the arm.
 9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the operating means also include a connecting rod which is pivotally interconnected with the lower portion of the arm and the crank member, at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to interconnect the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the body, and to rotate the lower arm portion in relation to the upper arm portion during the periods of lost motion on the part of the crank pin in the slot.
 10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the crank member takes the form of a disc having the rod pivotally interconnected therewith at a point angularly spaced from the pin.
 2. The mechanical doll according to claim 1 wherein the operating means include a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the body about an axis coincident with the rotational axis of the arm, and equipped with a crank pin which is slidably engaged in an arcuate slot in the upper portion of the arm.
 3. The mechanical doll according to claim 2 wherein the operating means also include a connecting rod which is pivotally interconnected with the lower portion of the arm and the crank member, at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to interconnect the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation i5 relation to the trunk of the doll, and to rotate the lower arm portion in relation to the upper arm portion during the periods of lost motion o5 the part of the crank pin in the slot.
 4. The mechanical doll according to claim 3 wherein the crank member takes the form of a disc having the rod pivotally interconnected therewith at a point angularly spaced from the pin.
 5. A mechanical doll comprising a body defining the trunk of the doll, relatively articulated limb members rotatably mounted on the body constituting the legs and arms of the doll, each of which arms has upper and lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation of the drive means to rotate the arms in opposite alternate directions in relation to the trunk of the doll, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower arm portions in opposite alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portions, and means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions of each arm for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the trunk of the doll.
 6. The mechanical doll according to claim 5 further comprising means interconnecting the legs and arms of the doll whereby the legs rotate i5 opposite phase to the arms on alternate sides of the doll.
 7. In combination, an body, an arm which is rotatably mounted on the body and comprised of upper and lower portions which are rotatably interconnected with one another, reciprocable drive means and operating means responsive to reciprocation of the drive means to rotate the arm in alternate directions in relation to the body, after intervening periods of lost motion with respect thereto, but which are also operable during such periods to rotate the lower arm portions in alternate directions in relation to the upper arm portion, and means interconnecting the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the body.
 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the operating means include a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the body about an axis coincident with the rotational axis of the arm, and equipped with a crank pin which is slidably engaged in an arcuate slot in the upper portion of the arm.
 9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the operating means also include a connecting rod which is pivotally interconnected with the lower portion of the arm and the crank member, at points spaced from the rotational axes thereof, to interconnect the upper and lower arm portions for conjoint rotation when the arm undergoes rotation in relation to the body, and to rotate the lower arm portion in relation to the upper arm portion during the periods of lost motion on the part of the crank pin in the slot.
 10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the crank member takes the form of a disc having the rod pivotally interconnected therewith at a point angularly spaced from the pin. 